Empire Electric Association, Inc

The Board of Directors Meeting agenda included several key items for discussion and action. Consent agenda items covered approval of the agenda, previous minutes, membership changes, and bad debt write-offs. Membership input was scheduled, followed by presentations from Montezuma County Emergency Management regarding county use of EEA's GIS Data, and from Pueblo Sand and Grain regarding an Onward' Legacy Donation Request. The meeting included a monthly safety report and review of correspondence. Policy review items involved Policy 28 (Scholarship Program) and Policy 51 (Information Disclosure). Under reports and action, the General Manager's report covered consideration of the donation request, an updated Deferred Revenue Plan, review of annual disclosure/conflict of interest statements, director expenses, identity theft protection measures, a Capital Credit Retirement Proposal, and selection of delegates for various annual meetings, along with a Strategic Planning Update and financials. Director roundtables and reports from the Attorney and various associations were also scheduled. The agenda concluded with an Executive Session to cover a FastTrack Update, Tri-State matters, receiving legal advice, and a key-staff update, followed by other business.

The meeting included a financials report by Johnson, highlighting the 2024 actual budget variances for March and comparing them to the 2025 March budget, also discussing the utilization of capital credits to satisfy bad debt. Dellinger introduced the Mayor of Monticello, who discussed the possibility of Monticello providing its own electric utility service and invited the board to a council meeting for an overview of the evaluation report. The board acknowledged Jerry Fetterman's upcoming retirement and presented Resolution 01-2025 to him. Robinson reported on the Tri-State Board meeting, noting the signing of the extended contract by 28 members, the ERP filing with the PUC, consideration of a cost reduction plan, the upcoming retirement of Susan Hunter, and Tri-State joining the Southwest Power Pool next spring. Additionally, there was a presentation on the supply chain and its effects on Tri-State, and the ordering of large transformers for replacement.

The annual meeting of Empire Electric Association, Inc. included reports from the President, Secretary-Treasurer, General Counsel, and General Manager, covering topics such as the cooperative's financial condition, legal matters, operational overview, and initiatives. Discussions also involved Tri-State's energy transition and rate structure. Members raised questions about renewables and staff retention. The meeting concluded with the announcement of election results and a prize drawing.

The annual meeting included reports from the President, Finance Manager, General Counsel, and General Manager, as well as a report from Tri-State and CREA. Discussions covered EEA's safety program, financial stability, telecommunications ventures, and strategic plans for consolidating campuses. The meeting also addressed rate structures, the sale of FastTrack, and efforts to improve operating efficiencies. Tri-State reported on their power supply and transmission plan, renewable energy goals, and a new rate filing with FERC. CREA discussed their services for cooperatives, including safety culture support and legislative monitoring. Members raised questions about community rooms, renewable energy goals, and transitioning away from coal. Election results for District 4 and District 7 were announced, and a general prize drawing was conducted.